68 businesses based in Westmorland and Furness are set to receive a share of over £771,000 in grants.

The funds are to be used to help them grow their enterprises, with 19 companies having already completed their projects.

The grants, each a sum of up to £20,000, were given out to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to fund half the costs of their respective initiatives through two programmes, Catalysing Growth and Investing in Growth.

Companies completing Catalysing Growth projects include Apple Designs Ltd, near Carnforth, specialising in marketplace management and digital marketing.

Their £7,500 grant towards a £15,117 project has connected their online platforms with new European markets.

Bartletts Group Limited, in Dalton-in-Furness, used their £7,500 grant for a rebranding mission costing £15,220.

The group believes a strong brand image will help them secure more contracts.

Bartletts also obtained a £20,000 Investing in Growth grant for a JCB TLT35/230 Teletruk.

They claim it will enable them to win higher-value contracts and grow their business.

(Image: Westmorland and Furness Council)

First For E Players Limited (trading as EStars) used a £20,000 Investing in Growth grant in a project costing £55,000 to develop an educational esports platform.

This platform is to be launched in Nigeria at an event hosted by the British Deputy High Commissioner.

Mags Byrne from the company said: "Developing the Platform has enabled EStars to grow, create more jobs and to further our reach, globally."

(Image: Westmorland and Furness Council)

E-Bike Safaris Ltd, in Kendal, used their £13,000 Investing in Growth grant to fund the purchase of 10 new e-Bikes and navigation devices.

This has enabled them to offer new multi-day and single-day cycle tours, expanding their business across the central and southern Lakes.

Other successful Catalysing Growth awardees include The Gas Rooms Ltd, in Burton in Kendal, which utilised their £1,641 grant in delivering their digital marketing strategy.

Majik House near Kendal, used their £2,400 to market their Smart Home Monitoring Systems.

Investing in Growth grants were delivered to Barrow BID, which received £8,000 to fund a mobile stage and exhibition trailer.

DAV Cumbria Ltd, based in Barrow-in-Furness, used a £15,481 grant to expand their business.

This funding programme is run through the Westmorland and Furness Council’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

Those seeking information about the CLEP Catalysing Growth and Investing in Growth programmes should contact info@thecumbrialep.co.uk.